# Apache Kafka

Apache Kafka is an open-source distributed event streaming platform that captures data from one source and delivers it to others in real time, ensuring nothing is lost. It is open source and self-hosted, installable on Docker Hub, Unraid and Kubernetes (Helm).

Canonical page: https://ourlocalhost.com/app/5903/apache-kafka

## Description

Apache Kafka is an open-source distributed event streaming platform that captures data from one source and delivers it to others in real time, ensuring nothing is lost. It is ideal for businesses needing to connect different systems and update information across their entire network.

## Platform availability

Available on 2 of 9 platforms: Unraid, Helm.

## Health score

82/100 (Excellent), based on 4 of 4 factors.
- Maintained: 100 (last commit 23 days ago)
- Popular: 91 (33,878 GitHub stars)
- Easy to install: 35 (1 install platform, install notes, Docker image)
- Light to run: 80 (1 GB minimum RAM, runs on ARM)

## Links

- Official website: https://kafka.apache.org
- GitHub: https://github.com/apache/kafka
- Documentation: https://kafka.apache.org/documentation
- Docker Hub: https://hub.docker.com/r/apache/kafka
- Unraid: https://ca.unraid.net/apps?q=Apache-Kafka&app=j3wjs3
- Kubernetes (Helm): https://artifacthub.io/packages/helm/bitnami/kafka

## Common questions

### What common mistakes cause the Kafka Docker examples to fail?

Run docker compose from the repository root where the docker/examples path exists, not from inside the example folder. Start with the plaintext or file-input example before using SSL, because SSL can make first-run connection tests fail. Include IMAGE=apache/kafka:latest or IMAGE=apache/kafka-native:latest on the same command line as docker compose so the example can start.

### Can self-hosted Kafka Connect be pointed at Confluent Cloud?

One proposed setup is to self-host a Kafka Connect cluster in your VPC and point it at Confluent Cloud.

### What categories of problems should I investigate when self-hosted Kafka is misbehaving?

Common troubleshooting areas include broker, producer, and consumer problems, plus network and disk issues.

### Can Kafka store event streams permanently?

Kafka can store streams of data in a distributed, durable, fault-tolerant cluster.

## Alternatives

- BunkerWeb: BunkerWeb is a self-hosted, open-source web application firewall and NGINX-based web server that protects services with secure-by-default s…
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- HFS 2 (HTTP File Server): You can use HFS (HTTP File Server) to send and receive files.
- Microsoft IIS: Internet Information Services (IIS) for Windows® Server is a flexible, secure and easy-to-manage Web server for hosting anything on the Web.
- nginx: Nginx is an HTTP web server, reverse proxy, content cache, load balancer, TCP/UDP proxy, and mail proxy server.

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Source: Our Local Host (https://ourlocalhost.com/app/5903/apache-kafka), the self-hosted and open-source app directory.